Background

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is related to development of a methodologically sound an overarching document that will have potential for practical implementation at any community context. This will require identification of good practices applicable in any community, understanding of legal and legislative framework and specific knowledge on social inclusion and social interaction dynamics. The development of good practices will be based on participatory approach and consultative processes with local government stakeholders.
For this purpose, one National Consultant for developing Good Governance Standards for Local Communities (Mjesne zajednce – MZ) - hereinafter Consultant will be engaged.

Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to design a Portfolio of Good Practice Models for Local Communities (MZs) aim to delineate methodological framework for inclusion of local communities and its constituents in development and implementation of governments’ plans and programmes at the local level. The Portfolio will be used for a transparent and accountable guide for local development initiatives. Those will be based on contemporary good governance practices aiming to be a tool for people-cantered planning, consultations and implementation.
The Portfolio will be used to identify ideas, formulate needs and map out resources of local community and its stakeholders that may contribute to bettering the communities’ environment. These will aim to improve effectiveness and efficiency of local communities’ administration if implemented.

Background Information

In 2015, UNDP launched the implementation of the Strengthening the Role of Local Communities/Mjesne zajednice in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project, which is financed jointly by the Government of Switzerland and the Government of Sweden. The project goal is to improve quality of life of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina through improving local infrastructure and services, increasing democratic accountability and social inclusion. The chosen means to achieve this goal is through encouraging community-led local development and revitalising MZs as the places where government comes closest to the people and as grass-roots organisations that serve communities, with the possibility for real participation and joint action.

The Project's implementing strategy is to support and drive forward change from bottom-up by engaging citizens and communities and giving them a voice in local governance processes, and by revitalising MZs as spaces where citizens come together to interact and involve, to identify and solve problems, to transmit their concerns to the local government and participate in the ways it makes its plans, spends their money and takes decisions that affect people’s lives. In doing so, the Project places MZs and their communities at the centre of its work, while also relying on a broad range of relevant stakeholders to sustain and expand Project results and increase democratic accountability. The Project works with 26 LGs and 136 MZs country-wide.

The key Project stakeholders are the following LGs: Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Brcko distrikt, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Ilijaš, Jablanica, Kljuc, Kotor Varoš, Laktaši, Ljubinje, Ljubuški, Nevesinje, Olovo, Pale FBiH, Petrovo, Rudo, Sanski Most, Stari Grad Sarajevo, Tešanj, Visoko, Zenica, Žepce, as well as their respective local communities that are part of the project. In addition, the project will coordinate activities with Assemblies of Cities and Municipalities of FBiH and RS as well as line ministries responsible for local governance and self-governance such as FBiH Ministry of Justice and the RS Ministry of Governance and Self-Governance as well as relevant administrative units in Brcko District of BiH.
One of the Project activities is strengthening citizen participation, articulation of their needs to local governments and general involvement of citizens and local communities in decision-making processes. To address this and make local communities more effective and efficient, the Project will support designing of Good Governance Standards for Local Communities (MZs), as well as encourage its practical application in daily work and everyday life.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Portfolio of Good Practice Models will enhance local communities in development and implementation of local governments plans and programmes, therefore will be used for accountable and transparent management of local development initiatives. 

This will be aimed to, but not limited, local communities’ participation in development of the local initiatives, budget, urbanistic planning, infrastructure improvement and maintenance, citizens’ participation, cooperation with CSOs and public institutions, inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups, women’s and youth participation, inter-community cooperation and coordination with local governments, etc.,  and definition of the strategic orientation of their municipalities and cities. The approach needs to be politically unbiased and for the benefit of the whole community preferably taking into consideration priorities of the excluded categories citizens and their priorities.

This Consultancy will offer development of the sound methodology and set of models for good governance that can be widely applied. It will focus on providing best examples and case studies from applicable practice in the local context.

More specifically, the Consultant/s will undertake following tasks:

Task 1: Data Analysis of Existing Local Communities (MZ) Research Materials

UNDP’s profound work on local communities development has been captured in number of flagship publications. Those will be a basis for desk research work on the research team. The findings of these publications will be integrated in the final product.

It is envisaged that this task will be performed by end of November 2017, while the level of effort will not exceed 20 expert days.

Task 2: Development of Portfolio of Good Practice Models

The development of Portfolio of Good Practice Models represents the key aspect of this assignment. The Portfolio will represent one of the most prominent documents related to the positioning and governance of local communities. The Portfolio will set out minimum these aspects:

  • Background;
  • Goals;
  • Methods and practises;
  • Stakeholders and actors;
  • Legal requirements;
  • Enabling Conditions.

This task will involve field visit to selected partner municipalities and collection of data on good practices. Based on collected data, draft report will be produced.

It is envisaged that this task will be performed by end of February 2018, while the level of effort will not exceed 20 expert days.

Task 3: Consultation with Local Partners and Validation of Methodological Framework with Key Stakeholders

Given the participatory nature of this assignment, the Consultant together with the MZ project team will conduct extensive consultation with local partners and stakeholders to ensure buy-in on the concepts developed within this research exercise. The consultative process will be conducted following drafting of the report and will highlight inclusion of all community constituents in the work on the Portfolio. This will specifically important given the social inclusion and social cohesion aspects that are to be included in the Portfolio.

Once the Portfolio is drafted, validation of Methodological Framework with key stakeholders will be conducted, as well as testing the implementation potential of the Portfolio. The validation process will be used as a knowledge transfer and awareness raising process that will promote the benefits of the Standards and their added value to the community development.

It is envisaged that this task will be performed by end of September 2018, while the level of effort will not exceed 25 expert days.

Task 4: Promotion of the Portfolio

The final stage of this Consultancy would require promotion of the Portfolio of Good Practice Models among the main stakeholders and relevant government authorities. In order to achieve this goal, the Consultant provide background information and materials, and advice necessary to address key partners.

It is envisaged that this task will be performed by end of May 2018, while the level of effort will not exceed 5 expert days.

Deliverables and timelines

The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

  • Data Analysis of Existing Local Communities (MZ) Research Materials - End of November 2017, (20 expert days);
  • Development of Portfolio of Good Practice Models -  End of February 2018, (20 expert days);
  • Consultation with Local Partners and Validation of Methodological Framework with Key Stakeholders (including conference in September) - End of September 2018,  (25 expert days);
  • Promotion of the Portfolio - End of May 2018 , (5 expert days).

Competencies

Core values:

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competencies:

  • Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Results-Orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
  • Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team;
  • Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • Ph.D. degree in political sciences, governance, business administration, economics or other relevant social science.

Experience: 

  • At least 7 years of relevant experience in the field of local governance, legislative and executive governmental institutions; 
  • At least 5 years of experience in public affairs and community development in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Previous experience in leading consultative policy development processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Language requirements: 

  • Fluency in the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina and English is required.

Other: 

  • Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.
  • Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
  • Proven ability to undertake professional research using both quantitative and qualitative methods;
  • Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and write concisely and clearly;
  • Previous work for UN agencies or concrete work at MZ level in the country is considered as unique asset.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis
When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

  • * Technical Criteria weight-70%
  • * Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

  • For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
  • Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.